By: Sean Ryan

With people from former Federal Reserve Chairmen Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan to former Citigroup (NYSE: C) Chairman and CEO John Reed suggesting that banks viewed as "too big to fail" should be broken up, it is worth looking at the history of government-mandated corporate breakups and the results. In doing so, two common themes emerge. First, break-ups of corporate monoliths seem to be a boon to shareholders; the sum of the parts tends to be greater than the whole. Second, break-ups tend to be undone over time, as constituent parts reunite...read more

Investing is a three-dimensional juggling act that involves Market Approach (what to buy or sell), Trading and Timing Strategies (when to buy or sell), and Risk and Money Management (how much return and risk to take). To increase the probability of investment success all the three dimensions should be performed whether you are fund manager or an investor.

So how do you differentiate yourself from a fund manager? – Basically you come up with answers to the same three questions (what . . . , when . . . ., and how much . . .) using different means...read more

They spooked the Microsoft founder into early retirement. Now they're going to bring down his empire and make a handful of investors rich. You can join them -- but you must act now.

In Redmond, Washington, one of the world's richest -- and most powerful -- businessmen sent an urgent memo to his top engineers and most-trusted managers.

It sounded the alarm that a very disruptive "wave" was about to wash over the entire world -- forever changing the way we get information and do business.

It also warned this would wipe out the $200 billion business empire he'd spent
his life building.

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles south, on the banks of the Columbia River, a mysterious outfit known only as "Design LLC" quietly constructed two massive, windowless warehouses.

This mammoth undertaking was code-named "Project 2," and the International Herald Tribune described the towering monolithic structures as "looming like an information-age nuclear plant."

I realize this may sound like something out of a Tom Clancy novel, but I think you'll want to bear with me, because...read more

Most people dream is financial freedom and security . Aside from being a tough road, not too many people know about this road, setting financial goals, Money management is about using what you have to get what you want — your goals. Here, you will know where you should begin, what paths you will have to take, what you have to bring with you on the journey, and what landmarks to follow, and what dangers you have to avoid. Taking more control of spending and where money goes can result in surprising accomplishments toward financial independence. No one will argue that it is smart to save money for those big-ticket items we really want to buy — a new television or car, or college education, a home. Every adult dreams that he or she will be able to get old without having to worry about food, shelter, clothing, possibly hospitalization, and so on. Whatever it is that you desire to attain in the future, the road that you will take to prepare yourself financially for that future is the same. There is only one road that leads to financial well-being and security. It’s not an easy road to follow, because it requires making sacrifices today in exchange for security and happiness in the future.

For almost all young adults who have just started their first job, or who are just getting ready to settle down and marry, planning for their retirement is not at all in their minds. For those who have just gotten their first job, the experience of receiving your paycheck is a thrilling and empowering feeling. Now you have money to spend for the things you’ve always wanted to get. Billboards and glitzy print ads beckon you to accumulate all sorts of products and services that make you enjoy the life that you feel entitled to. At last!..more

If you are determined to lead a debt free life and you have the perseverance to do so, getting out of debt is not a big deal. You will find funds to pay off debts from just about anywhere. Do forex and debt consolidation go hand in hand? They do not go hand in hand but the proceeds of forex trading can undoubtedly help you in debt consolidation.

Forex trading and debt consolidation are 2 independent financial processes but forex trading can help you in debt consolidation. Let us see how. Forex trading is when you trade currency pairs in the FX market. The forex market is the largest financial market where the trading volume is larger than the trading volume of stocks that are traded on different stock exchanges.

When you are in financial distress how can you invest in the FX market?
You need a very small amount of cash to trade in the forex market. So, if you are a smart forex trader and if you can predict the market movements, you can earn profits from it. There are various technical indicators that are used to predict movement of currencies in the forex market. And if the value of one currency drops, the value of the other will escalate. If you are not good at predicting FX market movements, you can always take help of an experienced forex broker. The profits earned from forex trading have helped many households in meeting various financial obligations. It has served as a “passive source of income” for many.

So, how do forex and debt consolidation go hand in hand? When you are on a debt consolidation program, you make payments as per a new repayment plan and you also get to enjoy reduced interest rate and lower monthly payments. The profits you earn in forex trading can help you to make the monthly payments that you make while you are on the debt consolidation program. Debt consolidation is one of the debt solutions that have helped many debtors to get rid of debts. In addition to your active income, if you have some extra cash at your disposal. it will help you in not just making payments for the debt consolidation program you have enrolled for but also for building an emergency fund that can save you from a financial stalemate.

We are created by God equally and He give us full freedom to enjoy on this planet (among other reasons) to be productive, show initiative and develop our gifts so we could support ourselves, our family and others in need. As we have seen, the Bible is full of sound advice about money matters. It even cautions us not to be so concerned about them that we seriously neglect other important aspects of our life.

Diligently applying the foregoing principles of economic well-being is essential for financial success. However, to seek a successful outcome in our daily endeavors, we must also have God's blessings in our undertakings.

We should heed the words of wise King Solomon: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Bible makes it possible for us to glean God's thoughts on every major area of life. God is an expert on the human condition. He knows what we lack, and He knows what we need. He knows we need His help in making important monetary decisions and in keeping our financial houses in order.

AGE or MONEY ?

Age has nothing to do with retirement, At age 65, if you don’t have money you will have to find a way to continue to work.

But even if you arte still at age 40 and have 10 M pesos, you can stop working, retire and let money work for you( living on interest) if you wish.

You can stop working, when money start working for you

As you stay longer and older in your job, “will you continue be an asset”? Or “liability”? As you get older you will eventually become less productive and too expensive to maintain by the company.
Most companies think that the older employees are more costly and less productive, while the younger, new employee cost cheaper and more productive. No matter how much you have helped and contributed to the company in the past, business always dictate to hire the younger, less costly, more productive employees so the company is able to survive and stay competitive.

Have you ever heard of?

Lay-offs/Downsizing/Right-sizing, early retirement/Redundancy

When this happen, are you ready? Do you have a back up plan?

During economic depression, businesses with poor business model or poor products will be phased out. Interest rate starts to drop to help businesses to survive. The market begins its correction process. After the correction, the economy cycle repeats. Stock market will be the first indication, followed by interest rate, and finally property.

The rich understands this economic cycle. Unlike the poor, the rich will start to park their cash in the stock market towards the end of the depression. The rich will wait patiently for 1, 2 or 3 years. They are not bothered by the daily fluctuation in stock prices. When stock market revive, they easily make 200-300% return. The next thing they watch out for is the property prices. When property prices begin to show its first quarter increase, they will sell off some of their shares and grab a few properties. In another 1 or 2 years, their properties appreciate in value and they easily make a few millions. When the economy reaches its peak, they will sell off some of their properties, keep some to earn rental income and park the rest of their money in fix deposit, survive through the depression (which can last for about 5 years!) and wait for the next cycle!

How many times have you heard these words spoken by a friend or family member or uttered them from your own lips? The "what ifs" and "if only" can plague a person's psyche, focusing them on the rearview of regret rather than the possibilities of tomorrow.

According to The Economist, "a fundamental change is coming" -- and sooner than any of us ever imagined. You probably know all about it. The buzz has been building slowly for years -- and now it's deafening.

Five months ago, President Obama threw $787 billion of your hard-earned cash at a raging economic inferno -- but that's nothing compared to the $10 TRILLION that will go up in flames as the next economic crisis bears down on us.

We're on a collision course with financial disaster. Yet, a handful of the world's most savvy investors -- including Microsoft founder Bill Gates -- are quietly positioning themselves to secure massive profits. You can join them -- if you take advantage of the 3 opportunities revealed just ahead...more..

Do you have a back up plan if you encounter a health problem?

As we all know that our Health is also out primary concern especially this time new generation. Once we have a health problem our financial will be affected and most of us is not ready if this things happen its time to know hot to have a back up plan.

Getting older is a natural part of life. How you will feel as you get older depends on many things, including what health problems run in your family and the choices you make. If you take good care of your body and learn positive ways to deal with stress now, you can slow down or even prevent problems that often come with getting older.

It’s never too early or too late to change bad habits and start good ones. No matter when you start, a healthy lifestyle can make a difference in how you feel and what you can do.
What determines how healthy you will be as you get older?

The changes you'll go through as you get older depend on a number of things. One is your family history (genetics). If your family members have diseases or ongoing (chronic) health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, then you may have a greater chance of having those problems yourself. But just because your risk is higher, it doesn't mean you will definitely have the same problems. In fact, the lifestyle choices you make can help reduce your chances of getting illnesses that run in your family. And even if you do get a family illness, choosing to be physically active, to eat right, and to learn how to deal with stress can keep the illness from destroying your ability to enjoy your golden years.

Changes as you get older are usually gradual. Certain physical changes are common. Your metabolism (how fast your body can burn calories) slows over time, which means that your body needs less food energy than before. Also, most people start needing reading glasses between ages 40 and 50, and many have some hearing loss later in life. Starting in your 50s, bone aging increases. Also starting around age 50, you may notice changes in sexual function—it's normal to have a slower sexual response.

Most vital organs gradually become less efficient with age. The kidneys are less able to keep enough water in your body. And the heart can start to show signs of wear and tear caused by years of eating the wrong foods and not exercising. So as you get older, it’s important to be physically active, drink plenty of water, and eat the right foods and be protected by a long term health care. Doing these things will help your body work well for a longer period of time.

In today's crisis-laden economy, common people face the difficult uncertainty of their future and fear starts to settle in. However, through saving and financial education, an international marketing firm advocates simple but long term solution to survive any crisis and to build up a more promising future.

"Saving has to have a long term perspective. The important step in financial education is through mind setting, with a proper mind set, people can increase their financial knowledge and will have the right information to plan for their future," said International Marketing Group (IMG) president and CEO Jose Enrique R. de Las Penas.

He said that the main reason that most of the Filipino population remains poor is the lack of financial education that will trigger them to really save up for their future. "In a millionare's mind, the thought that always run is how to grow and manage the money at hand. Savings is not something you put big amounts of money immediately. It has to start small and it has to get bigger, you just have to be consistent and be disciplined," he said.

de Las Penas said that to achieve a sound financial status; everyone should know what they want and know how to get what they want. "You will need financial check-ups and evaluation so that you will know your assets, debts and savings and so you can adjust your goals and improve your long term finances," he said.

He said that savings must really be a top priority but this also requires an environment that will urge one to really go on his or her way and build up savings for the long term. "Most people want to save but they just don't know how to do it. To do so, you must not think that it will be big suddenly. The lack of education also gives out a misconception that onlly the rich can save, which is really wrong because if you really want to save you can," urged de Las Penas.

He also said that one reason why most overseas Filipino workers (OFW) end up getting broke even after years of working abroad is the lack of financial education and a strong concept of saving. "OFWs usually come home with debts and not savings. Even their families left here spend tremendoulsy without thinking of the future. If you don't have plans for your money, eventually it starts to dimmish," he said.

He said that cureently IMG has already started tapping OFWs based in Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau and now 50 percent of those who have become their members are now working as part-time financial advisers.

Right now, they have 3,000 members in Hong Kong, 1,000 affiliates in Macau and they are also starting to penetrate Dubai and Milan and the Middle East who has a huge OFW population.

"We train them to financial advicers and so they can continue to earn even if they are no longer working overseas or employed by their employers. We must educate them, so that they will not be left out," he said.

de Las Penas said that in their trainings, they usually educate a person first and then help them build or create their own financial strategy.

I would like to thanks IMG for this interview with bro. Bo Sanchez

We met at a most unlikely place – inside an airplane. I was bumped up to business class and he was seated right beside me. Since then, Jose Enrique (Joen) de las Peñas became my mentor in investing.

Joen has a mission: to change the adage that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." He believes that "the average person, even the poor, has an equal chance to become wealthy if given the right information."

Joen certainly knows what he's talking about. He is a registered financial planner and has more than 12 years of financial management experience. He sits as the president and chairman of the board of International Marketing Group (IMG) Insurance Brokers Corporation.

Joen is certainly one guy I learn so much from every time I talk to him.

Bo: I still remember your dialogue. You said, "I like your book." I think you read Simplify and Create Abundance. And then you said, "Can I share some more to you?" In other words, you were trying to say, "You still lack some knowledge." But I truly appreciate all the financial knowledge that you have shared with me all these years.

Joen: That's true. I read a lot of your books. It's always been my dream to meet you so I could tell you a bit more about financial services, about the mission that we do. I know that you can help spread what we know, so it was a good chance to let you know all the things that we know.

Bo: Can you share with us this mission, this crusade in your heart that's been driving you for the past 10 years?

Joen: It's about the statement "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." Our mission is to change that. The rich get richer, it's good. But the average person also has the right to become wealthy and I know that with the right information, he will have the same opportunity as the wealthy people.

Bo: That's wonderful. So the rich, yeah, they can get richer, so long as they share their riches. But you're saying now that the average person can become rich as well.

Joen: Yes, if the average person understands what the wealthy people are doing, if he understands the right financial vehicles, then there is no reason to be poor. Sadly, the average person focuses on different things while the wealthy people focus on how to become wealthy and successful.

Bo: Can you give some specifics?

Joen: If I ask the average person, "What is the rate of return on your savings?" most of the time he does not know. But ask him about the rate of return on his debt, he'd know. It's always at the back of his mind. But the wealthy people – they know the rate of return on their savings, when it will double, how much their money will be in so-and-so years.

Bo: You know, just yesterday I went to my bank and they gave me this leaflet on new interest rate. I was so shocked – it was 0.75% for a year! I thought it was at least 1%.

Joen: And that's still gross. You still have to deduct 20% withholding tax. What a lot of people do not understand is this: that the bank is a good vehicle for business; but for your own personal savings, there are lots of other financial vehicles that you can use.

Most people think that by saving they're already doing something right. But the fact is, you could save the right way and save the wrong way. And saving the wrong way, at the end of the day, will not change anything.

Bo: That's a very important point. You know, Joen, my role is to give people the capacity to have a vision. I give them the capacity to dream. I remove their limiting beliefs – that I can't do it, that I'm poor. So you're absolutely right. People don't have a vision of doubling their money.

Joen: A lot of people are like that – they do not understand that with a meager rate of return on their savings, they will never have a chance to become wealthy. But I can show you a way that, even if you save P20,000 for six years with a total of P120,000, over the years as it compounds, it can be P9.5 million.

Bo: Wow. So you're saying, Joen, that if the average Filipino can save P1000 or P2000 a month, they can become a millionaire over time? But they need to know how to save, where to save.

Joen: Yes and at the same time they should have a vision where their money is going and how exactly their money can grow. All of us work hard for the money. But eventually if we know how to handle money, money can actually work for us. We can be the boss of our money and not the other way around.

Bo: OK, you're saying, don't put it in a bank, use the bank for business as loans, maybe business loans. But tell us, what vehicles are you talking about that can make one a millionaire over time?

Joen: One of the widely used financial vehicles right now, even is the US and Europe, is the mutual fund. In a mutual fund, your small amount of money becomes part of a very big fund. If that fund earns 12% or higher, whatever savings you have there will have an equal rate of return as the whole fund. Many people think that the mutual fund is for the wealthy. But in fact it was created for the average persons to earn equally with the wealthy people.

I look at a lot of Filipinos and they're very focused on how to make money but that's only 50% of the equation. The other 50% is learning how to let their money go back to them much faster.

Bo: That's true. Is it safe to invest in a mutual fund?

Joen: A mutual fund is regulated by the government and managed by a professional person to let the money grow. It's one of the safest vehicles to let your money grow and to have the best rate of return. They have what you call asset allocation. The fund is spread correctly and all that the fund manager does is to think how to let the fund grow. And because of regulation, it's a very safe vehicle.

Bo: I'm sure we could go on and talking about this wonderful topic. One last thing before we end. You said that in the US, 20% of the people there put their long-term savings in the bank, but 70 or 80% put their money in mutual funds already. In the Philippines, it's the opposite. Not even 1% of our people invest their money in mutual funds. And so you have a long way to go.

Joen: Yes, there are a lot of things to be done. But I believed that with the right information we can actually become like the US and there will be more money in mutual funds compared to the regular savings in the bank.